TITLE

Alternative Route Three under Partnership Grants Program

HISTORY

Legislation creating this program was signed into law on May 3, 2001. The law expires June 30, 2005.

MOTIVATION

The program permits creation of three different alternative routes, “aimed at recruiting candidates to teaching in subject matter shortage areas and areas with shortages due to geographic location,” and allows recruitment of future teachers from “a great untapped resource” – individuals who are already employed as “classified instructional staff in public schools.” Funds from the state legislature and a Transition to Teaching Grant from the U.S. Department of Education will provide stipends for both interns and mentors and tuition assistance for interns in the form of loan forgiveness.

GRADE LEVELS AND/OR SUBJECT AREA(S) COVERED

K-12 all areas.

WHO OPERATES

Washington Professional Educator Standards Board.

REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER

Route Three programs shall enroll individuals with baccalaureate degrees, who are not employed in the district at the time of application, or who hold emergency substitute certificates.

Priority in selection shall be given to individuals seeking residency teacher certification in subject matter shortage areas or areas with shortages due to geographic location.

Districts may include additional candidates in non-shortage areas if the candidates are seeking endorsement with a secondary grade level designation. The districts shall disclose to candidates in non-shortage subject areas available information on the demand in those subject areas.

Entry requirements:

Five years' experience in the work force;

A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. The individual's grade point average may be considered as a selection factor;

Successful completion of the content test, once the state content test is available;

External validation of qualifications, including demonstrated successful experience with students or children, such as references letters and letters of support from previous employers;

Meeting the age, good moral character, and personal fitness requirements for teachers; and

Successful completion of the statewide basic skills exam, when available.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Route Three -- Cohorts of candidates shall attend an intensive summer teacher academy, followed by a full year employed by a district in a mentored internship, followed, if necessary, by a second summer teacher academy.

NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS

Varies, depending on prior credits applicable and the subject area in which candidate is being certified.

LENGTH OF TIME

Varies, depending on the program and the IHE.

WHO EVALUATES

IHE and LEA.